I often go to the weekly tastings at Valley Wine and Liquor in Herkimer, NY but have not made a blog post about them in a while. Yesterday (Friday; yes I am making my Friday post late, but for once I hope it will not be Lame) I had a nice time sipping Jim Beam and chatting, so I thought I would make a blog post about it.
I was actually out for a walk, bringing a notebook and adventure book with me, because I did not know where I might end up. I had vague thoughts of stopping by Valley but since I did not want to purchase anything heavy I would have to carry, I hesitated. I stopped at Cliff’s to get some cash out of the ATM. Could I cross the street to the liquid store (as a niece referred to such stores when she was four)? A car stopped and waved me across. What else could I do?
She was great!
Caroline, the pourer, was happy to see me, remembering me from other tastings. She likes that I take notes about what I taste. I always chat up the person pouring; it is one of the sociable things I enjoy.
I started with a mixture Caroline had made with 1 1/2 parts Honey Jim Beam, 4 parts lemonade, a splash of club soda and lime. It was very tasty and refreshing. It would make a good punch to serve at a party. I moved on to tasking the flavored product straight.
The Jim Beam Fire was not as hot as I had expected but flavorful with a cinnamon taste. The Jim Beam Vanilla was delightful. Caroline said that was everybody’s favorite. The Jim Beam Sunshine Blend tasted more like a straight whiskey to me; if you prefer unflavored spirits, this would be the one for you. The Jim Beam Apple was, well, apple-y.
For anybody tsk-tsking me because I got free tastes but didn’t purchase anything, I intend to return the Valley Wine and Liquor today and buy something. Will I get there at the time of the Saturday tasting? Perhaps I will.
Valley Wine and Liquor is located at 326 S. Caroline St., Herkimer, NY, phone number 315-867-5800.
Mohawk Valley Girl 